Lock



D. HOFFMAN AND F. EASTON.

LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11. 1921.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

8 M. 8 M T I W A TTOR/VEY8 D. HOFFMAN AND F.. EASTON.

LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.1I.I921.

1,407,538. Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Win i:

DILLON HOFFMAN AND FRANK EASTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

noon.

Specification of Letters'Patent.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

Application filed January 11, 1921. Serial No. 436,469.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, DILLON HorFMAN and FRANK EASTON, both citizens ofthe United States, and residents of the city of New York, borough ofManhattan, in the county of New York and State of New York,

have invented a new and Improved Look, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description.

Our invention relates to a lock, and aims to provide a device of thischaracter more particularly adapted for use in connection with anelectrical circuit.

In connection with electrical circuits, and

more particularly the ignition circuit, of an automotive vehicle, it isa well appreciated fact that it has been customary to provide a switchwhich may be opened and closed only upon the actuation of a look;

This has offered certain objections in that 'an operator has quite oftenfailed to actuate the look so that an unauthorized person would becapable of closing the circuit and operating the vehicle. Also upon theloss of the key it has been impossible for the authorized operator toclose the circuit without demolishing the lock.

Entirely aside from the foregoing it is also well understood thatnumerous thefts of automotive vehicles have occurred where the lock hadbeen properly actuated, incident to the fact that a thief who wasexpertly acquainted with the manipulation of locks could disassemble orotherwise mutilate the same to close the circuit without any onebecoming aware of the fact that an unauthorized person was endeavoringto accomplish this purpose.

Having the foregoing in mind, we have constructed a look moreparticularly adapted for use in connection with the ignition circuit ofan automotive vehicle, but not necessarily limited to this adaptation,and by means of which it will not be necessary for an operator toutilize a key to complete closing and opening of the circuit, althoughthis may not be accomplished by an unauthorized person.

A further object of our inventionis the provision of a device of thetype specified in which the parts may be moved to necessitate adifferent manipulation of the lock to effect a closing of the circuit.

A still further object of our invention is the construction of a lock inwhich an alarm will be given upon an unauthorized person endeavoring tomanipulate the same.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby anunauthorized person will be unable to cause a cessation of operation onthe part of the alarm subsequent to the same having once been actuated,and in which it will also be impossible to permit of the circuit beingclosed by any person other than the proper operator, after the parts ofthe lock had once been improperly operated.

Further objects of our invention will appear in the annexedspecification and drawings, which latter present one practicalembodiment of our invention, and in which Figure 1 is a front view of alock embodying our improved construction, and showing the cover removedtherefrom.

Figure 2 is a rear view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional side view taken along the line 33 in thedirection of the arrows in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic arrangement of the parts showing the positionof the circuits, and

Figure 5 is a face View of the completed device.

In these views the reference numeral 10 indicates the casing of anydesirable contour, presenting a face normally closed by means of anysuitable cover 11, which is hingedly associated with a casing as at 12,and is normally retained in closed position by any suitable type of lock13.

In the embodiment illustrated, and in view of the fact that we utilize asubstantially circular casing it will be noted that the cover 11 carriesa suitable number of annular series of buttons 14, each of which maybear any desirable indicating marking for a purpose hereinafter morefully specified.

It will be noted, reference being had to Figure 3, that each of thebuttons 14 is slidably associated with the cover 11, and a spring 15serves to normally press the buttons outwardly, such movement beinglimited by any suitable means, such as the head 16 of the pin 17 forminga fixed portion of each of the buttons 14.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, it will be seen that aplurality of contact rails 18 are arranged within the easing 10, certainof said contact rails underlying different series of buttons 14. Thus,

by meansof springs 26.

assuming that a traveling contact point is slidably arranged uponcertain of the rails 18, these rails carry current, and the casing beinggrounded a projection on the part of one of these buttons will result ina flow of current through the same, the contact. member,'and so into therail, or vice versa.

Referring now more particularly to this contact member, it will'be seen,reference being had to Figure 3 that the same preferably includesaclipport-ion 19 capable of slidable engagement with one of the rails, agrasping portion 20, permitting of its being manually shifted,andinsulation 21, which serves to prevent the fiow of current fromthe'body portion of the traveling contact point into certain of therails with which it is associated. y

In theembodiment illustrated, it will'be noted that we have shown a pairof solenoids 22 and 23 respectively, at points underlying the contactrails 18. Each of these solenoids serves 'to actuate armatures 24; and25, respectively, which latter are normally projected' from withinthebody of the solenoid Attention being had to' Figure AL it will be seenthat the armature-24 carries an arm 26,

which latter cooperates with normally closed switches 27 and 28, toeifect a closing of-the same, which armature 25 is provided with an arm29 and serves tobridge' the points 30 upon the solenoid 23 beingactuated.

In the embodiment illustrated, it will-be rent'31, is provided with abranch 34:, having the convolutionsof the solenoid 23 arranged inseriestherewith. Thence this lead extendsto one of thepoints of the switch 27the opposite portion of said switch. being connected in the form shown,to the secondary rail 18.

Also with a'view of providing a suitable alarm, it will be noted that wemay utilize an electrically actuated bell, or other suitable device. v p

With a view of providing a suitable source of actuating current for thissignal, the feed lead of the source of current supply 31, is

provided, as has been "indicated by the referencenumeraIBG, and arrangedin series with this" latter branch is the signal 35, the branchextending thence to one of the points of the switch 28, the second pointof which A is groundedasat 37.

l As'suniing now that the traveling contact point embracing the clips19, has been moved to a; positionwhich has beennoted by the oplead 38,solenoid 22, outer or inner rail 18,

"traction being'exerted'upon the armature 24, carrying the arm 26, andupon thisoccurring it will be obvious that the switch 27 will prituatingthe latter.

erator, it will be seenthat upon pressing the V properbutton 14, thatcontact will be established from the source-rof current supply 31,through the main lead 38, thence through the branch lead 3% through thesolenoid 23 thence through the closed switch'27, tothe center rail 18,through the clips 19, to the body'of the traveling contact point, thepin 17 of the proper buttonwliicwbears against the body of the contactpoint, the body of the casing 10, and thence to the ground 33,completing the circuit through the ground 32. This will result in anactuation of the armature 25, and by virtue of the arm29 oftheflatter,the points 30 will be bridged, which will serve to close the circuit"leadingto the e-lement'39 which latter may be in the nature ofa'magneto, coils, etc.

If, on theother hand, the improper button has been-pressed, it will be'obvious that the'head'16of the pin associated ,with the 7 same willpress againsteither'the outer or inner rail 18. Thiswill result; incurrent passing through the source offsupply 31,

and thence grounded as atf33 throughthe casing 10'comp1'eting thecircuit through the ground 32. f p V This action-willobviously resultman atmarily' be opened, subsequent to which the switch 28 will beclosed.

This action of"closingtheswitch 28 will result in a completionofthefcircuit in which the sounding device35'is arranged,"thusac- Alsoby virtue of the opening of the'switch 27, it will be appreciated that asubs'equent a'ction, before a return'of the parts to normal on the partof the solenoid 23, may thus not be accomplished.

To now providemeans serving to retain theparts' in the position desiredby the operator, it will be'notedjthat a suitable latch has beenprovided, which latch is" in the nature of aspring projected slidablepin'39, capable of being retracted by means of aknob40, extending beyondthe outer face of the cover 11. This latch is inline' with the body'of'the armature'25, and upon the "latter being retracted againsttheaction of the spring26, it will be appreciated that the latchwilliprevent a return of the parts to normal until the pin 39 hasbeen'manually Withdrawn 'from out of engagement with the'armature '25.

With a View of providing a similar'expedient for the armature 24:'itwill bei noted that we may conveniently utilize a bracket 41 withinthe casing 10, or "otherwiserender the of the same. 'A spring projectedpin 42 is slidably associated withthisbracket,and is in line with thebody of the armature 22, and arranged atsuch a position with "respectsame suitably inaccessible from" the exterior V thereto that upon thelatter being retracted against the action of its associated spring 26,

- that a return of the parts to their normal position may not beaccomplished until the cover has been opened and the pin a2 manuallyretracted.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated, reference being had to thepreceding paragraphs, that upon the operator having pressed the button14, that the circuit through the element 39 will have been closed, andan actuation of the same will have been permitted. On the other hand, anopening of this circuit may be efiected by a retraction on the part ofthe knob 40, which will permit the armature 25 to beprojected by thespring 26, thus returning the parts to their normal position.

If an unauthorized person operates the device, however, it will beappreciated that in all likelihood he will press the wrong button. Thiswill result in an actuation of the solenoid 22, and armature 24:, andany subsequent manipulation of the proper button 14; will fail to causea cessation of operation on the part of the alarm 35, or closing of thecircuit through the element 39, for the reason that a return of thearmature 2a to its natural position is precluded by the pin 42, thusholding the switch 28 closed and the switch 27 open.

An examination of the foregoing specification, and drawings referred toin the same, will clearly indicate that by means of our improved lock,that we have provided a device which will permit of an operatordispensing with a conventional switch key, at the same time insuring theactuation of an automatic working signal, if an unauthorized personshould attempt to close the circuit.

Obviously numerous modifications of structure might readily be resortedto without in the least departing from the spirit of our invention,which we claim as: V

l. A look, including a casing, a switch within said casing for closing acircuit, a secondary switch also within said casing for closing acircuit through an alarm, and further switches arranged in series withsaid first named circuit, and being adapted to be opened upon anactuation of said secondary switch.

2. A look, including a casing, solenoids within said casing, armaturesassociated one with each of said solenoids, and adapted to be operatedthereby, switches actuated by said armatures, and means for causing anactuation of one of said solenoids and switches associated therewith.

3. A look, including a casing, solenoids within said casing, armaturesassociated one with each of said solenoids and adapted to be operatedthereby, switches actuated by said armatures, and a plurality ofactuating means electrically connected with said solenoids.

4. A look, including a casing, solenoids within said casing, armaturesassociated one with each of said solenoids, and adapted to be operatedthereby, switches actuated by said armatures, a plurality of actuatingmeans electrically connected with said solenoids, one of said actuatingmeans serving to actuate the solenoid operating the switch in serieswith the main solenoid to be closed.

5. A look, including a casing, solenoids within said casing, armaturesassociated one with each of said solenoids and adapted to be operatedthereby, switches actuated by said armatures, a plurality of actuatingmeans electrically connected with said solenoids, one of said actuatingmeans being connected with one of said solenoids for causing a closingof a switch, the balance of said actuating means serving, uponactuation, to operate the second solenoid for closing a further switch,and opening a third switch, said last named switch being in series withsaid last named switch and preventing a subsequent closing of thecircuit controlled by the same.

6. A lock, including a casing, a plurality of contact rails within saidcasing, a traveling contact point arranged upon said rails, a pluralityof actuating members arranged above said rails, said contact point beingadapted to be borne against by one of said actuating members, solenoidsin circuit with said rails, and a source of current supply, armaturescontrolled by said solenoids, switches controlled by said armatures, oneof said switches permitting, upon being closed, of a flow of currentthrough a main circuit fed by said source of current supply, thearmature of the second solenoid controlling further switches in serieswith said source of current supply for causing the actuation of an alarmmechanism.

7 A look, including a casing, a plurality of contact rails within saidcasing, a traveling contact point arranged upon said rails, a pluralityof actuating members arranged above said rails, said contact point beingadapted to be borne against by one of said actuating members, solenoidsin circuit with said rails, and a source of current supply, armaturescontrolled by said solenoids, switches controlled by said armatures, oneof said switches permitting, upon being closed, of a flow of currentthrough a main circuit fed by said source of current supply, thearmature of the second solenoid controlling further switches in serieswith said source of current supply for causing the actuation of an alarmmechanism, and the opening of the first named circuit.

8..A lock, including a casing, a plurality of contact rails within saidcasing, a traveling contact point arranged upon said rails,

'trollingfurther switches in series with said source of current supplyfor causing the actuationof an alarrninechanism, the opening of thefirst named circuit, and means serving to normally .retain the firstandsecond switches opened, and last named switch in closed position. v I

9. A look, including acasing, a plurality of contact rails within saidcasing, a traveling contactpoint arranged upon said rails, a pluralityof actuatingmembers arranged above said rails, said contact point beingadapted to be borne against by one of said actuating members, solenoidsin circuit with said rails, and asource ofcurrent supply,

armatures controlled by said solenoids, switches controlled by saidarmatures,one of lsaid switches permitting, upon being closed,

ofa flow of currentthrough a maincircuit ted by saidsource of currentsupply, them:- mature of the second solenoid controlling furtherswitches in series with said source of current supply for causing theactuation. of

an alarm mechanism, the opening of the first named circuit, meansserving tornormally retain thefirst and second switches opened, and lastnamed switch in closed position, and meansvforretaining said armaturesin retracted position subsequent to their actuation by their respectivesolenoids.

DILLON HOFFMAN. FRANK, EASTON.

